ForeFlight Electronic Flight Bag

Knowledge Base


The documents provided on this page are designed to serve as guidance materials for operators seeking regulatory approval to use ForeFlight Mobile and its associated solutions. They outline the considerations, supporting documentation, and best practices that regulators may require during the approval process. By consolidating these resources in one place, our goal is to help operators streamline the path to compliance, reduce administrative burden, and gain confidence that their use of ForeFlight aligns with the highest standards of operational safety and regulatory oversight.

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Purpose of the Advisory Circular

Both ACs provide guidance on the authorization and use of Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs) in lieu of paper aeronautical information, but AC 120-76E is the current version (issued in June 2023) that supersedes AC 120-76D.

 

AC 120-76D (2017)

  •  Addressed safety primarily through FAA approval oversight.

AC 120-76E (2023)

  • Shifts responsibility to operators under their Safety Management System (SMS) to assess, document, and mitigate risks of EFB use (device failure, overheating, software reliability, etc.).

AC 120-76D (2017)

  • Strict testing is required for mounting, power, and connectivity if devices are used beyond being “portable."

AC 120-76E (2023)

  • Recognizes that modern tablets (iPad, Surface, etc.) with proper mounting and power solutions are standard and doesn’t force them into outdated Class distinctions.
  • More emphasis on human factors, usability, and failure modes than on device “class.

AC 120-76D (2017)

  •  Divided EFB applications into Type A, Type B, and Type C (with specific examples like charts, performance software, weather, etc.).

AC 120-76E (2023)

  • Retains the concept of app types but emphasizes risk-based assessment.
    Provides updated app categorizations and clarifies that Type C apps (like avionics functions) should migrate toward approved aircraft systems instead of being considered EFB apps.

AC 120-76D (2017)

  • Provided detailed guidance on EFB hardware/software classifications (Portable vs Installed, Class 1/2/3 devices).
  • Still relied heavily on FAA-issued operational approvals for EFB use.

AC 120-76E (2023)

  • Aligns FAA guidance with international standards (e.g., ICAO Doc 10020 and EASA AMC 20-25).
  • Emphasizes performance-based requirements rather than rigid classifications.
  • Simplifies approval processes by removing Class 1/2/3 device distinctions (these had become outdated with modern tablets and mounts).

AC 120-76D (2017):

  • Operators generally needed OpSpec, MSpec, or LOA for EFB use, especially if replacing paper.

AC 120-76E (2023):

  • For Part 91 operators, no FAA authorization is required for EFB use (consistent with ICAO/EASA).
  • For Parts 121, 125, 135, EFB use is now treated as “no-authorization required”, as long as operators follow the AC guidance and ensure safety management compliance.

 

EFB Documentation Resources

 

The documents contained in this package have been assembled by ForeFlight staff to serve as an aid to Part 91K, 121, 125, or 135 operators seeking FAA approval to use ForeFlight Mobile as their Electronic Flight Bag solution. These documents do not constitute an exhaustive resource for gaining operational approval. Our supplying of these documents also does not imply a guarantee of further assistance with the approval process; while our Sales team is on hand to answer questions you may have about the documents  themselves, they are not able to assist you through the rest of the approval process. Please direct such inquiries or requests to your regulatory POI.